Gilroy coming off a 35-20 win over North Salinas
Gilroy – From the second-half kickoff against Palma one week earlier until the halftime siren last Friday against North Salinas, Gilroy was as good as any Tri-County Athletic League team.
Its defense was almost flawless, allowing an anemic one first down and 104 total yards in those four quarters.
But the Mustangs still haven’t put four quarters together in a game this season with the exception against lowly Alvarez. As coach Rich Hammond said, “We still have another week.”
Actually, not a full week as the Prune Bowl between traditional rivals Gilroy and San Benito is 7:30pm Thursday at Garcia-Elder Complex. And yet the implication is clear: Play four quarters against the Haybalers or prepare for winter sports. It’s that simple.
The first half last Friday against North Salinas was the Mustangs’ defense at its best. The Vikings got 39 yards of offense and zero first downs. GHS led 21-0 in a game eerily similar to the contest two weeks earlier against Alisal.
And like the Trojans two weeks earlier, North Salinas scored on its opening second-half drive. But that’s where the similarities ended. The Vikings’ drive consumed nearly eight minutes GHS responded with a touchdown to remain in control.
It was the win the Mustangs had to have to add more meaning to the Prune Bowl. Not that Gilroy would ever have trouble getting “up” to play San Benito. At least now, however, the Mustangs are also fighting for a playoff berth.
A win over San Benito gives GHS a 5-5 overall record and a playoff game. The Mustangs’ strength of schedule with non-league foes Serra and Oak Grove resulted in an extra bonus point, according to Hammond.
So it comes down to this: Can Gilroy win a game as an underdog? It hasn’t happened this season yet. If the Mustangs had won “winnable” games over Woodside and Alisal, they would be 6-3 and not in the current predicament. A playoff game would have been assured regardless of the outcome against the ‘Balers.
“We’ll be ready,” promised quarterback Marc Vegas. “Once we get a lead, we can’t let down. We need to play hard at all times.”
“No more falling asleep in the second half,” said defensive back Dennis Rathi.
Emotions will be at their highest point this week “because the guys don’t want to see the season end,” Hammond said.
A look at similar opponents indicates that the Mustangs have a good chance against San Benito. While the ‘Balers were at their best against Alisal, Gilroy was at its best for the first half against the Trojans, leading 22-0 at halftime. While San Benito struggled against Salinas, the Mustangs buried the Cowboys with a three-touchdown second-half avalanche. Both teams were close against Palma, and each took care of business against North Salinas and Alvarez.
So now it comes down to who wants it more Thursday, with one team already assured a playoff berth and another team fighting for its playoff life.
Streak broken: Paul Gonzales had his string of five straight 100-plus yard rushing games stopped. Facing a defense clearly geared to shutting him down, Gonzales rushed 18 times for 71 yards. He is at 1,100 for the season.
